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Monday, June 23, 2014

It was a crazy week with a major construction project and a trip to Canada for the weekend. Here's what my kitchen looked like for a few days this week:

I stopped in at QFC Monday evening because we were out of bananas and my kids were asking for them. I also picked up onion because I was out and grapes that were on sale. The lemons & limes were on clearance. I spent $8.40.

I was at at Costco on Tuesday with the girls. I bought chip, more bananas, a watermelon for the weekend, our favorite veggie straws, yeast because I'm almost out, and the necessary item - gluten free flour. I spent $31.24.

Wednesday was the day with the gaping hole in the kitchen floor so I tried to keep the kids out all day. We went to Champion Foods in Issaquah - Oh, how I love to visit their store! I found some GF cereal for $1.25/box, GF chips for $.33 each, some GF seasoned peanuts for $1.00, GF Organic & loccal granola for $1.00/box, local GF fruit leather for $0.30 each (perfect for roadtrips), and GF aluminum free baking powder for $1.00. Altogether I spent just $20.50!

Thursday I took the girls out again for the bulk of the day. One of our stops was an oil change at Wal-Mart where I also picked up a sack of potatoes and some ice cream treats for the girls. Those items were $5.74.

It's interesting to note that it actually costs less (and more likely healthier) to get the girls a box of Skinny Cow ice cream bars than it would have for the McDonald's ice cream sundaes we had planned to buy. I'll remember that in the future!

Unfortunately, I bought the ice cream without thinking about gluten and I paid for it with DD#2 all afternoon and evening. There was a little cone on the bottom of the treat and I should have just asked her to eat the ice cream part and throw the cone away. Live and learn. It was a good affirmation though that we ARE doing the right thing for her by removing gluten from her diet. Her emotional responses were so out of control just from those few bites! It was a good reminder, too, to be thankful for how far we have come and and to be proud of how hard she normally works to keep in control of her emotions. Love our girl and love that being GF isn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be.

Our milk was $12.87 and I didn't buy eggs from Sarah.

DH bought more milk while I was in Canada. It was at Costco 1% conventional so I think about $4.00?

Sunday, June 15, 2014

We are eating tortilla chips like crazy now that DD#2 is gluten-free. The peanut butter & jelly sandwiches I used to give the kids a time or two per week have been replaced by chips & cheese.Naturally, I made a Costco run for chips & cheese. I also bought tortillas and these veggies straws that we love. The veggie straws didn't make the picture. I spent $28.75

Somehow I missed a photo of another quick trip late Monday night. DD#2 was out of milk so I picked some up for her along with some salad dressing, tomatoes, and a cucumber. I spent $6.69.

I took the girls to pick strawberries on Tuesday. I found an organic u-pick farm not too far from home that had strawberries for $3.50/lb. These were $34.75.

Next was a trip to Fred Meyer because I was out of pectin! I'm generally pretty good at keeping staples stocked so I get a little irritated with myself when I'm unexpectedly out of something - like when I have beautiful fresh strawberries and I can't make jam because I'm out of pectin. We found clearance cornflakes and gluten free pasta. I picked up organic sugar for the jam, too. I spent $22.88 this trip.

This was a drop in at Albertsons because I needed eggs. I found a piece of clearance beef and got all these yogurts for free! They were marked down to $0.50 and had $0.50 peelies on them. Yay! I spent just $5.52 on all this.

And today I had a shopping trip to Fred Meyer because I keep missing my friend at church and I'm desperate for eggs! I spent $16.27.

Friday, June 13, 2014

I have used my washer for many items other than clothing, and found this list to be comprehensive. Be sure to visit their website to see the actual article and some washing instructions.

Here's the List from the website:

1. Stuffed animals: If you have a little one, or a dog or cat, you can toss their lovies in the washing machine for a deep cleaning.2. Sneakers: Give your sneakers a good cleaning and
add them to the wash. Pair them with a few towels to keep your washing
machine balanced — and cut back on all the potential banging.3. Pillows: Your bedroom pillows are also safe to add to the wash. Not sure what to do? Follow these easy cleaning directions.4. Backpacks: Cloth and nylon
backpacks are also safe to add to your washing machine. Just
double-check for any plastic parts, and keep the water set at cold to
prevent any melting or shrinkage.5. Rubber-backed rugs: The
rubber-backed rugs in your bathroom or kitchen are also safe to wash in
the washing machine. And washing them monthly gets rid of any lingering
mold or mildew.6. Curtains: Add washing your
fabric curtains to your seasonal cleaning checklist, and launder them in
the washing machine. But if they have liners, or tags that suggest that
they should be dry-cleaned only, take them to the cleaners.7. Chair cushions: If your kitchen or dining room chair cushions are tie-ons, you can safely clean them in the washing machine when spills happen.8. Car mats: Refresh your car mats, and give them a spin in your washing machine.9. Plastic shower curtain: Plastic
shower curtains and liners are the worst to clean. Make it easy on
yourself, and wash them in cold water with help from your washing
machine.10. Gym bag: Cloth or nylon gym bags are also safe to wash in the washing machine.11. Yoga mat: Keep the funk away and toss your yoga mat in the washing machine. And DIY this easy yoga mat spray to keep your mat fresh between washings.12. Fabric bags: After removing all
your stuff, fabric shoulder bags get a much-deserved cleaning in the
washing machine. Air-dry to avoid any shrinkage — especially if your bag
has a zipper.13. Feather bed: Even your feather bed can go in the washing machine. Follow these easy cleaning directions to refresh yours.
- See more at: http://dailysavings.allyou.com/2014/06/12/household-laundry-cleaning/#sthash.1LFvAbqR.dpuf

Stuffed Animals

Sneakers

Pillows

Backpacks

Rubber-backed Rugs

Curtains

Chair Cushions

Car Mats

Plastic Shower Curtains and Liners

Gym Bag

Yoga Mat

Fabric Bags

Feather Bed

And here are my additional thoughts:

If you wash a stuffed animal with plastic eyes or nose I recommend stuffing the animal into a pillowcase or into a sock. The fabric will protect the plastic from getting too banged up.

You don't have to put your sneakers into the dryer after washing. I usually let them air dry so they don't "kick" open the dryer door getting thrown around.

My kids have cheap pillows. They get lumpy and bumpy after they get agitated and spun. And they get agitated and spun, what with the barf and peed beds that accompany children. Try the gentle cycle and air dry or gentle dry.

Our rubber backed bathroom rugs eventually started to shed their rubber bottoms after too many washings. Treat them nicely, eg gentle in the washer and let them air dry.

Watch out for plastics/rubber in the dryer in general. They'll melt if they get too hot.

DO PLEASE wash your reusable grocery bags. They are full of germs and should be washed regularly!

Have a beautiful day!

Katie

1. Stuffed animals: If you have a little one, or a dog or cat, you can toss their lovies in the washing machine for a deep cleaning.2. Sneakers: Give your sneakers a good cleaning and
add them to the wash. Pair them with a few towels to keep your washing
machine balanced — and cut back on all the potential banging.3. Pillows: Your bedroom pillows are also safe to add to the wash. Not sure what to do? Follow these easy cleaning directions.4. Backpacks: Cloth and nylon
backpacks are also safe to add to your washing machine. Just
double-check for any plastic parts, and keep the water set at cold to
prevent any melting or shrinkage.5. Rubber-backed rugs: The
rubber-backed rugs in your bathroom or kitchen are also safe to wash in
the washing machine. And washing them monthly gets rid of any lingering
mold or mildew.6. Curtains: Add washing your
fabric curtains to your seasonal cleaning checklist, and launder them in
the washing machine. But if they have liners, or tags that suggest that
they should be dry-cleaned only, take them to the cleaners.7. Chair cushions: If your kitchen or dining room chair cushions are tie-ons, you can safely clean them in the washing machine when spills happen.8. Car mats: Refresh your car mats, and give them a spin in your washing machine.9. Plastic shower curtain: Plastic
shower curtains and liners are the worst to clean. Make it easy on
yourself, and wash them in cold water with help from your washing
machine.10. Gym bag: Cloth or nylon gym bags are also safe to wash in the washing machine.11. Yoga mat: Keep the funk away and toss your yoga mat in the washing machine. And DIY this easy yoga mat spray to keep your mat fresh between washings.12. Fabric bags: After removing all
your stuff, fabric shoulder bags get a much-deserved cleaning in the
washing machine. Air-dry to avoid any shrinkage — especially if your bag
has a zipper.13. Feather bed: Even your feather bed can go in the washing machine. Follow these easy cleaning directions to refresh yours.
- See more at: http://dailysavings.allyou.com/2014/06/12/household-laundry-cleaning/#sthash.1LFvAbqR.dpuf

By Sarah Lipoff
Everyone knows clothes get washed in the washing machine, but you
might be surprised to know there are several other household items that
you can toss in there, too. You’ll save time and money and love how
fresh and clean these items are after a quick spin in your machine.1. Stuffed animals: If you have a little one, or a dog or cat, you can toss their lovies in the washing machine for a deep cleaning.2. Sneakers: Give your sneakers a good cleaning and
add them to the wash. Pair them with a few towels to keep your washing
machine balanced — and cut back on all the potential banging.3. Pillows: Your bedroom pillows are also safe to add to the wash. Not sure what to do? Follow these easy cleaning directions.4. Backpacks: Cloth and nylon
backpacks are also safe to add to your washing machine. Just
double-check for any plastic parts, and keep the water set at cold to
prevent any melting or shrinkage.5. Rubber-backed rugs: The
rubber-backed rugs in your bathroom or kitchen are also safe to wash in
the washing machine. And washing them monthly gets rid of any lingering
mold or mildew.6. Curtains: Add washing your
fabric curtains to your seasonal cleaning checklist, and launder them in
the washing machine. But if they have liners, or tags that suggest that
they should be dry-cleaned only, take them to the cleaners.7. Chair cushions: If your kitchen or dining room chair cushions are tie-ons, you can safely clean them in the washing machine when spills happen.8. Car mats: Refresh your car mats, and give them a spin in your washing machine.9. Plastic shower curtain: Plastic
shower curtains and liners are the worst to clean. Make it easy on
yourself, and wash them in cold water with help from your washing
machine.10. Gym bag: Cloth or nylon gym bags are also safe to wash in the washing machine.11. Yoga mat: Keep the funk away and toss your yoga mat in the washing machine. And DIY this easy yoga mat spray to keep your mat fresh between washings.12. Fabric bags: After removing all
your stuff, fabric shoulder bags get a much-deserved cleaning in the
washing machine. Air-dry to avoid any shrinkage — especially if your bag
has a zipper.13. Feather bed: Even your feather bed can go in the washing machine. Follow these easy cleaning directions to refresh yours.

- See more at: http://dailysavings.allyou.com/2014/06/12/household-laundry-cleaning/#sthash.1LFvAbqR.dpuf

By Sarah Lipoff
Everyone knows clothes get washed in the washing machine, but you
might be surprised to know there are several other household items that
you can toss in there, too. You’ll save time and money and love how
fresh and clean these items are after a quick spin in your machine.1. Stuffed animals: If you have a little one, or a dog or cat, you can toss their lovies in the washing machine for a deep cleaning.2. Sneakers: Give your sneakers a good cleaning and
add them to the wash. Pair them with a few towels to keep your washing
machine balanced — and cut back on all the potential banging.3. Pillows: Your bedroom pillows are also safe to add to the wash. Not sure what to do? Follow these easy cleaning directions.4. Backpacks: Cloth and nylon
backpacks are also safe to add to your washing machine. Just
double-check for any plastic parts, and keep the water set at cold to
prevent any melting or shrinkage.5. Rubber-backed rugs: The
rubber-backed rugs in your bathroom or kitchen are also safe to wash in
the washing machine. And washing them monthly gets rid of any lingering
mold or mildew.6. Curtains: Add washing your
fabric curtains to your seasonal cleaning checklist, and launder them in
the washing machine. But if they have liners, or tags that suggest that
they should be dry-cleaned only, take them to the cleaners.7. Chair cushions: If your kitchen or dining room chair cushions are tie-ons, you can safely clean them in the washing machine when spills happen.8. Car mats: Refresh your car mats, and give them a spin in your washing machine.9. Plastic shower curtain: Plastic
shower curtains and liners are the worst to clean. Make it easy on
yourself, and wash them in cold water with help from your washing
machine.10. Gym bag: Cloth or nylon gym bags are also safe to wash in the washing machine.11. Yoga mat: Keep the funk away and toss your yoga mat in the washing machine. And DIY this easy yoga mat spray to keep your mat fresh between washings.12. Fabric bags: After removing all
your stuff, fabric shoulder bags get a much-deserved cleaning in the
washing machine. Air-dry to avoid any shrinkage — especially if your bag
has a zipper.13. Feather bed: Even your feather bed can go in the washing machine. Follow these easy cleaning directions to refresh yours.

- See more at: http://dailysavings.allyou.com/2014/06/12/household-laundry-cleaning/#sthash.1LFvAbqR.dpuf

By Sarah Lipoff
Everyone knows clothes get washed in the washing machine, but you
might be surprised to know there are several other household items that
you can toss in there, too. You’ll save time and money and love how
fresh and clean these items are after a quick spin in your machine.1. Stuffed animals: If you have a little one, or a dog or cat, you can toss their lovies in the washing machine for a deep cleaning.2. Sneakers: Give your sneakers a good cleaning and
add them to the wash. Pair them with a few towels to keep your washing
machine balanced — and cut back on all the potential banging.3. Pillows: Your bedroom pillows are also safe to add to the wash. Not sure what to do? Follow these easy cleaning directions.4. Backpacks: Cloth and nylon
backpacks are also safe to add to your washing machine. Just
double-check for any plastic parts, and keep the water set at cold to
prevent any melting or shrinkage.5. Rubber-backed rugs: The
rubber-backed rugs in your bathroom or kitchen are also safe to wash in
the washing machine. And washing them monthly gets rid of any lingering
mold or mildew.6. Curtains: Add washing your
fabric curtains to your seasonal cleaning checklist, and launder them in
the washing machine. But if they have liners, or tags that suggest that
they should be dry-cleaned only, take them to the cleaners.7. Chair cushions: If your kitchen or dining room chair cushions are tie-ons, you can safely clean them in the washing machine when spills happen.8. Car mats: Refresh your car mats, and give them a spin in your washing machine.9. Plastic shower curtain: Plastic
shower curtains and liners are the worst to clean. Make it easy on
yourself, and wash them in cold water with help from your washing
machine.10. Gym bag: Cloth or nylon gym bags are also safe to wash in the washing machine.11. Yoga mat: Keep the funk away and toss your yoga mat in the washing machine. And DIY this easy yoga mat spray to keep your mat fresh between washings.12. Fabric bags: After removing all
your stuff, fabric shoulder bags get a much-deserved cleaning in the
washing machine. Air-dry to avoid any shrinkage — especially if your bag
has a zipper.13. Feather bed: Even your feather bed can go in the washing machine. Follow these easy cleaning directions to refresh yours.

- See more at: http://dailysavings.allyou.com/2014/06/12/household-laundry-cleaning/#sthash.1LFvAbqR.dpuf

By Sarah Lipoff
Everyone knows clothes get washed in the washing machine, but you
might be surprised to know there are several other household items that
you can toss in there, too. You’ll save time and money and love how
fresh and clean these items are after a quick spin in your machine.1. Stuffed animals: If you have a little one, or a dog or cat, you can toss their lovies in the washing machine for a deep cleaning.2. Sneakers: Give your sneakers a good cleaning and
add them to the wash. Pair them with a few towels to keep your washing
machine balanced — and cut back on all the potential banging.3. Pillows: Your bedroom pillows are also safe to add to the wash. Not sure what to do? Follow these easy cleaning directions.4. Backpacks: Cloth and nylon
backpacks are also safe to add to your washing machine. Just
double-check for any plastic parts, and keep the water set at cold to
prevent any melting or shrinkage.5. Rubber-backed rugs: The
rubber-backed rugs in your bathroom or kitchen are also safe to wash in
the washing machine. And washing them monthly gets rid of any lingering
mold or mildew.6. Curtains: Add washing your
fabric curtains to your seasonal cleaning checklist, and launder them in
the washing machine. But if they have liners, or tags that suggest that
they should be dry-cleaned only, take them to the cleaners.7. Chair cushions: If your kitchen or dining room chair cushions are tie-ons, you can safely clean them in the washing machine when spills happen.8. Car mats: Refresh your car mats, and give them a spin in your washing machine.9. Plastic shower curtain: Plastic
shower curtains and liners are the worst to clean. Make it easy on
yourself, and wash them in cold water with help from your washing
machine.10. Gym bag: Cloth or nylon gym bags are also safe to wash in the washing machine.11. Yoga mat: Keep the funk away and toss your yoga mat in the washing machine. And DIY this easy yoga mat spray to keep your mat fresh between washings.12. Fabric bags: After removing all
your stuff, fabric shoulder bags get a much-deserved cleaning in the
washing machine. Air-dry to avoid any shrinkage — especially if your bag
has a zipper.13. Feather bed: Even your feather bed can go in the washing machine. Follow these easy cleaning directions to refresh yours.

- See more at: http://dailysavings.allyou.com/2014/06/12/household-laundry-cleaning/#sthash.1LFvAbqR.dpuf

Thursday, June 12, 2014

One our family favorites is homemade pizza. We would have it pretty regularly back before DD#2's gluten sensitivity was identified. Of course I wouldn't make a favorite and make DD#2 watch us eat it, so we've ALL been missing out on pizza.

I decided to finally give a gluten free pizza crust a try last week. Of course I went to my new favorite cookbook: Gluten-Free on a Shoestring. Let me recommend again that you buy this book if you're moving to a gluten free or lower gluten diet. The author writes in plain English that's easy to understand and she includes lots of detailed tips.

Next I mixed 6 T. warm water with 1 1/2 T. olive oil in a measuring cup and poured it into the dry mixture in a steady stream while the mixer turned. The dough didn't seem to stick together like I expected. I eventually just scraped the sides down to force it into a single mass.

Then I drizzled some olive oil in this dish and pressed the dough into it in a "disc" shape and flipped it to coat the dough with olive oil.

Covered the bowl with saran wrap

Let rise in a warm, draft-free area until doubled. I used the microwave and a hot dishrag.

After an hour it wasn't doubled, but it was bigger so it was good enough.

So I wrapped it all in saran wrap then and put it in the fridge to chill for another hour.

I was using my pizza stone for conventional pizza so I used silicone to roll the dough out.

The directions said to roll up a bit of a crust to make an edge.

Then I put the silicone on a cookie sheet and "blind baked" the crust for 5 minutes at 400.

Then I dressed the crispy crust with pasta sauce & pepperoni.

I usually just use a jar of pasta sauce instead of pizza sauce. It's much cheaper and does the trick.

I added the Daiya dairy-free cheese

Baked at 400 again for 7 minutes. This cheese actually melts a little!

DD#2 was very happy to have pizza with her sisters. I was very happy to have a half pizza leftover so I could make a gluten and dairy-filled dinner that night. DD#2 was happy have to her pizza instead.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

So I had a garage sale last weekend. It's a whole lot of work and much more fun if you have someone to share the work with. I was thankful to have a friend come spend the day with me and she made a few bucks to boot.

This is the inside of the garage - kid stuff on the left and adult clothing on the right.

This is outside: books & games on the left, housewares and the kids' lemonade stand on the right.

I wish I'd had more and bigger stuff. It's a lot of work to set up and advertise when there's just not that much to sell. The tables were very empty by the end of the sale.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

We were out of bananas so I thought I'd use my kiddo's therapy time Monday to visit the grocery store. I hit the clearance jackpot with Activia Greek yogurt for $0.15/each! And the 'best by' date was 5 days away. I also found 3 packages of one pound lunch ham on clearance for $0.99 each! Pretty crazy and awesome when I only was after bananas. I spent $10.62.

DH was out of coffee creamer and since I'm such a nice wife I swung into the grocery store when I was out one night and a few more cups of yogurt on clearance. I spent $5.53.

Then, on Thursday I stopped at Albertsons for the $0.97/lb grapes. Cream cheese was only $0.50 and some yogurt was also on clearance for $0.50 with a $.50 peelie attached. This trip was another $7.15.

I had a bigger trip to Fred Meyer to get cereal. It was $1.67/box after sale and manufacturer coupons. I also needed cocoa for dairy-free chocolate baking. This trip was $21.54.

This was a quick trip to the Dollar Store for balloons, but I can't go to there without picking up pepperoni. I spent $7.00 - One package was eaten by a starving mama and kid before I took the picture.

There's an Albertsons next to church so I stopped again today for more of those grapes at $4.55. I also picked up more creamer for the hubs and half & half for myself costing $4.79.

Milk was $12.87 and no eggs, but DH picked up a carton for me so another $2.00.

Friday, June 6, 2014

My GF/DF friend, Ruthie, sent me this recipe when she heard I needed some help with cooking dinner. I'd never heard of Cassoulet, but the ingredients looked good and the use of a crockpot looked even better. I gave it a try.

Ingredients:

14-16oz Kielbasa

2 medium/large yellow onions, diced

4 garlic cloves, minced

4 carrots, sliced

4 celery stalks, chopped

1t dried thyme

1/2 t pepper

2 T herbs de provence (Marjoram & Oregano)

3 cans diced tomatoes

1 1/2c chicken stock

4 bay leaves

4 cans Great White Northern Beans

1 lb Bacon, cut into small pieces

Throw everything into the crock pot and cook on high for 6 hours.

Onion

Carrots

Celery & Spices

Tomatoes and Chicken Stock

Ends & Pieces Bacon is usually cheaper than strips

1 pound chopped bacon

Bacon & Kielbasa

Great Northern Beans - cooked from dried instead of cans

Mixed & Ready to Cook

It cooked faster than 6 hours and absorbed all the liquid. It was super tasty, but my kids weren't keen. They are more used to pinto, kidney, or black beans and complained about the "the white beans." I'm going to make it again though - It was too good not to try again with the kids.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

One of the challenges of defrosting the garage freezer is fitting oddly shaped items in the inside fridge. When the big freezer was defrosting I realized I had 4 gallon-sized Ziplocs of broccoli, most of it was stalks.

So I set to work trimming and slicing and I got the 4 bags down to 2. Not only is it more compact for freezer storage, it's all ready for stir-fry or beef & broccoli.

So sometimes that advance food prep allows you to gain freezer space, too!